Hero (english version)

Chapter 6

The third blow I take makes me fall. The training room floor is wet and cold, as if it were ice. I put my finger to my lips, and I see a deep dark red colour on them. The metallic taste of blood extends to my throat. I spend a few moments trying to focus my eyes, as I see four robots instead of two, two Rogelios instead of one. The rest of the soldiers are mere shadows to me.

"Adora, did you hurt yourself?"

Lonnie offers me her hand so I can get up. I accept her help, despite the fact I'm still somehow a bit dazed and my basic instinct is telling me to continue on the ground.

"What's the matter with you today?" She curiously asks me, holding me by the waist.

I spit blood on the floor, thanking that the blow didn't break my nose. "I'm... just tired."

Lonnie doesn't answer, just nods. For a moment, I think I feel she has something else to tell me, but she doesn't say anything. I see she's heading somewhere in the opposite direction to the robots.

"No, no." I turn away gently, recovering the weapon I had lost which was resting on the ground, a few meters away. Now I can go on.

"Adora, you're-"

"Fine," I interrupt her. "I can keep up."

"This is just training," she reminds me.

I know it's true, but I can't lose points. Not now. Shadow Weaver will sense something is happening to me and she won't stop until she finds out what it is. And she probably won't find out. She would blame Catra, who will feel bad about herself again, because she'll think she's the problem. But she's not.

"The problem is me," I whisper.

Lonnie turns her gaze away from the robots to lay them on me. For a few seconds, I'm afraid she's heard my words. Why did I say them out loud?

"Did you say anything?"

I sigh, relieved. After denying with my head and giving Lonnie a little smile along with a warm "thank you", I hasten to reach the most distracted robot. Rogelio attacks him from the front, while Kyle keeps the other busy running away from him, making that one chases him.

I look briefly for Catra, who gives me a mischievous half smile. We both seem to read each other's mind, since, after ordering Rogelio to continue with his attack, Catra runs towards me, ready to carry out the move we both devised. When I reach the robot's left front leg, I jump to hit it hard from above. It loses its balance, while I look at Rogelio and scream at him.

"Rip it off!"

The strong lizard boy sticks his gun into the top end of the leg, using it as a lever while pulling his hand free of it. Barely a few seconds after it falls to the ground, I push Catra further. She places a foot on them as if they were a spring. Once she is on top of the robot, my feline girl nails her claws right into the head of that pile of nuts and screws, ripping it out and ending the operation of our metallic enemy.

"Yes!" I exclaim.

However, the euphoria of the moment disappears at the very moment I turn around. Kyle runs in my direction, followed by the huge second robot we must destroy.

"Adora, watch out!" Lonnie warns me, pushing me away.

We both fall a few meters away, out of the path of the only operating robot. I look up to discover Catra confused, desperately searching for any surface to jump to or hold on to. That's when I realize: the robots are going to crash. Was that Kyle's plan or has he just fled aimlessly? The second one, I guess. Rogelio rushes to catch the boy before the imminent collision, putting him safe somewhere near our position. However, I don't pay too much attention to his feat, my eyes just focused on Catra.

I set my weapon on the ground and I run towards her, as if my mere presence could already spare her any harm. After all, I have to act like a heroine, right?

"Catra!" I exclaim, in a drowned cry.

I notice how she manages to calm down, contemplating the robot that in a few seconds will collide with the one she herself destroyed. She's... waiting. Waiting for what? Then she gives me an enlightening look.

"Stand back, Adora!" Lonnie orders me.

I obey. I let myself fall on the ground, sensing what they were about to do. A spear flies over my figure until it hits one of the robot's hind legs, knocking it down. Catra jumps on it, taking advantage of its imbalance to take it down in the same way as the previous one: ripping off its head. When it turns off, it falls dramatically to the ground, while Catra jumps to reach the mainland. My expression twists when I discover that I am the impending destination of Catra's jump. I let out a loud "Wait!" escape when she, nimbly, lands on the ground, holding me by the wrist and pulling me towards the back of the room.

Being both round robots, they roll to crash each other, causing a striking explosion in front of our noses. From the expansive force, we both lose balance, ending one on the other when everything stops. Catra burst into laughter, without turning away. My cheeks light up when I discover her so close. Once more, my back rests on the cool floor of the room, only this time I don't care at all. I smile. She's beautiful when she laughs.

"Did you miss me?" she makes fun of me, stroking my face with her tail.

She stands up, holding my hands with her own and helping me incorporate myself. "Are you okay?" she asks me "You have some blood here..." She set her gaze on my lips, wiping the thick red liquid that slips up to my chin with her thumb.

There's a pause. Catra's smile disappears, and now she's the one who seems to be blushing. I take a step back, looking away. I discover Lonnie watching us, as Kyle and Rogelio celebrate our victory. Her eyes fix on mines for a moment, and she dares to say:

"So that was it."

Something tears me up inside. Kyle and Rogelio meet with us to continue the celebration. Catra seems to be unaware of the situation, screaming "High five!" to Rogelio, which is a symbol she's really happy.

My gaze remains fixed on Lonnie's, who takes a few steps back and walks without hesitation towards the exit. I make a move to follow her, but Kyle gets in my way, making up an absurd little victory dance. And I lose sight of her. I hurry to follow her, her footsteps, but my feet stop short when I see an imposing figure blocking my path, in front of the door. My locks escape the safety of my hair band, presenting me even more defeated to her.

It is then, with her pronouncing these words, when I can hear that agonizing sound that haunts me at night again.

"What has distracted you, Adora?"